Ratchet mechanism.



W A PEGK RATGHBT MBOHANISM. APPLICATION IFILED JAN. 7, 1909.

Patented June 8, 1909.

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WILLIAM A. PEGK, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

`RAICI-IET MECHANISM.

vSpecification of Letters Patent.

Application .filed January 7, 1909.

Patented .Tune 8, 1909.

serial No. 471,108.

Tocll `whom it may concern:

Be it known `that I, YVILLIAM A. Pack, a citizen of the United States, residing in Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented a 'cer-V the above objects are attained, to be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims. The accompanying drawings lform a part .of this specification and show the invention applied to a double-spiral tool .adaptedto serve in turning` a screwdriver or like iinpleinent. l

:Figure 1 is a side view of the improved tool. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the ratchet mechanism alone, on a larger scale, with the operatingesleeve omitted. Fig. 3 is a corresponding longitudinal axial sectionhpartly in elevation, taken on the line 8-3 1n Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4.-4 in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 isa similar view.y taken on the line 5 5 in Fig..3. Fig. .6 is a transverse section corresponding to Fig. et

but on a greatly enlarged scale. Fig. '7 is a.

longitudinal section partlyin elevation, on the same scale as the preceding figure, show` ing a detail.

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

A is the spindle vhaving opposite spiral groovesof quick pitch, carrying at one end a chuck A1 adapted to receive and hold the screwdriver or-other tool to ybe rotated, and inclosed at the other end in a tube A2 secured in a handle A3; these portions may be understood to be of the usual or any approved construction.

The ratchet mechanism through which the spindle passes comprises a cylindrical casing `B secured tothe tube A2 and inclosing two ratchet-sleeves C and `D having in- `ternal spiral fins c and d matching respectively 'the spiral grooves `on the spindle, and

the sleeve C.

carrying on their ends ratchets C1 and D1, the teeth of one presented oppositely to the other. studs B1 `B1 extending through the casing B on each side ofthe spindle, and are held against endwise movement in the opposite directions by a `tubular screw-plug B2 set in the free end of the casing and abutting against the sleeve D, and a similar pluff A4 forming part of the tube A2 abutting against As usual in tools of this character the spindle is rotated by reciproca- `tions thereon of the .ratchet mechanism, in-

duced by thrusting movements of the handle, the direction `of rotation being determined by .holding one of the ratchets relatively :to the casing during the thrusting movement, the other revolving idly, and per- .mitting both to rotate idly during the return movement. By holding both ratcliets the spindle .is locked and becomes in effect a fixture with the handle.

In the present invention the ratchets C1 D1 are ycontrolled by two spring-pawls E1 .and F1 extending'transversely of the casing,

each the counterpart ofthe other, lying in cavities b produced in the casing to receive them, and mounted oppositely on pins E and F set in the casing B parallel with the a-Xial line thereof. Each pawl vis in the form of a curved lever having an arm E2 F2 shaped to ymatch approximately to the periphery of the casing and having light springs E3 F3 tending to hold the pawls in engagement with their respective lratchets.

On the tubular sleeveG inclosing the casing are internally projecting screw-pins G1 G2 received `in short circumferential channels Zil b2 Iin `the casing, `which lead to the cavities Z); a partial rotation of the sleeve Abrings one of the pins into contact with its -pa-wl-arin, depresses lthe latter and correspondingly raises that pawl out of engage nient ywith its ratchet. The saniemovement :traverses the other pin in its channel away pins -too far -upon the pawl-arms, and the pins are so spaced as to permit both to stand, out of contact with their pawl-arins when The sleeves are held separated by,

the sleeve is turned to an intermediate position .in which the spindle, is locked by the simultaneous engagement of both pawls with their ratchet-s.

In order that the casing may be returned. after a thrusting movement without rotating the spindle in a reverse direction it is nessential that the tension of the springs be very light, and it is therefore preferable to provide means for adjusting the tension. This may be variously accomplished, as shown in the drawings each pawl carries on its upper face a leaf spring E3 F3 projecting beyond the nose of the pawl into a recess extending from the cavity and cont-acts with the end of an adjusting screw I-I sunlr below the surface of the casing. By turning these screws the tension of the springs and the consequent frictional contact of the pawls with their ratchets may be increased or lessened.

lWhen either of the screw-pins G:l G2 has ridden upon its pawl-arm sufficient friction developed between the easing and sleeve, aided by the spring E3 or F3, to insure against unintentional movement of the sleeve relatively to the casing; as a further frictional holding means adapted to serve in all. positions of the sleeve, the frictionspring J is supplied. It consists of an arched leaf-spring lying in a short groove or recess ZJ" in the peripheral face of the casing and exerts its force against the inner surface of the sleeve thus producing sufficient friction alone to hold the sleeve when the latter is in the intermediate position, and serving as an auxiliary to the springs E3 F3 when the sleeve is at the extreme of its movement in either direction.

It will be observed that the channels b1 b2 serve as guides for the pins G1 G2 and also with the latter as the means for holding the sleeve G to the casing. Their ends also serve as stops to limit the rotation of the sleeve, as above described.

The casing B is preferably a single piece of metal bored axially to a diameter large enough to permit the introduction of the ratchets from the ends. By removing or retracting the screw-pins G1 G2 the sleeve G is freed and may be removed to afford. access to the parts for adjustment or repairs, and by withdrawing the pivots E and I" the pawls E1 and F 1.1are released. Thus all the parts are easily accessible and may be removed when worn and new ones substituted.

Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions without departing from the invention and parts may be used without the whole. Other Ymeans than the springs E3 F3 may be substituted for inducing the yielding engagement of the pawls with their ratchets, and the adjusting devices for such means may be varied or omitted. The friction spring J may be dispensed with or other means substituted therefor.

Although the invention has been described as applied to a double-spiral tool of the screwdriver class, it will be understood that it will serve with other implements or in other situations to which it may be adapted.

l. In a tool of the character set forth, a casing, means contained therein for operating a spindle, a sleeve movable on said casing, there being a channel in the latter, and a pin in said sleeve projecting into said channel, said pin and channel serving to hold said sleeve to said easing, and the pin constructed to actu-ate said means.

2. In a tool of the character set forth, a casing, a ratchet wheel therein, a pawl pivoted in said casing and arranged to engage said ratchet wheel, a sleeve movable on said casing, there being a channel in said casing, and a pin in said sleeve projecting into said channel, the latter with said pin serving to hold said sleeve upon said casing, and the pin serving to actuate said pawl, and to limit themovement of said sleeve relatively to said casing.

3. In a tool of the character set forth, a cylindrical casing, a ratchet wheel therein, a pawl pivoted in said casing and arranged to engage said ratchet wheel, a tubular sleeve inclosing said casing, there being a` circumferentially arranged channel in the periphery of said casing, and a pin in said sleeve projecting into said channel, the latter with said pin serving to hold said sleeve upon said casing, and said pin serving to actuate said pawl, and to limit the movement of said sleeve relatively to said casing.

4t. In a tool of the character set forth, a casing, a ratchet wheel therein, a pawl pivoted in said casing and arranged to engage said ratchet wheel, a sleeve inclosing said casing and movable thereon, a spring for inducing the engagement of said pawl with said ratchet wheel and means for inducing frictional contact of said means with said pawl, and an auxiliary friction means between said casing and sleeve.

5. In a tool of the character set forth, a cylindrical casing, a ratchet wheel therein, a pawl pivoted in said casing and arranged to engage said ratchet wheel, a tubular sleeve inclosing said casing and rotatable thereon, a spring for inducing the engagement of said pawl with said ratchet wheel and means for inducing frictional conta ct between said pawl and means, and an auxiliary spring between said casing and sleeve and exerting its force frictionally to hold the sleeve in position.

6. In a tool of the character set forth, a easing, a ratchet wheel therein, a pawl pivoted in said casing and arranged to engage ltlO IOS

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said ratchet Wheel, a spring for inducing such engagement, means for adjusting the tension of said spring, a sleeve movable on said casing, and means carried by said sleeve for disengaging said paWl from said ratchet Wheel in opposition to said spring.

7. In a tool of the character set forth, a. cylindrical casing, a ratchet Wheel therein, a pawl pivoted in said easing and arranged to engage said ratchet Wheel, a spring between said casing and pawl for inducing such engagement, means for adjusting the tension of said spring, a sleeve inclosing said casing and rotatable thereon, and means carried by said sleeve for disengaging said paWl from said ratchet Wheel in opposition to said spring.

8. In a tool of the character set forth, a cylindrical casing, a ratchet Wheel therein, a paWl pivoted in said casing and arranged to engage said ratchet Wheel, an arm on said pawl, a sleeve inclosinO said casing, a pin on the inner face of said sleeve, there being a circumferentially arrangedchannel in the periphery of said casing receiving said pin, the latter With said channel serving to hold said sleeve rotatably upon said casing, and

said pin serving to contact with said arm and actuate said pawl, and to limit the rotation of said sleeve on said casing.

9; In a tool of the character set forth, a spindle having opposite spiral grooves therein, tvvo ratchet Wheels encircling said spindle and engaged With said grooves, a cylindrical casing inclosing said ratchet Wheels, oppositely arranged pawls pivoted in said casing and adapted to engage one with each of said ratchet Wheels, springs for inducing such engagement, each pawl being provided With an arm, a sleeve inclosing said casing, there being two circumferentially-arranged oppositely-extending channels in the peripheral face of said casing, one for each of said pawls, and pins in said sleeve projecting into said channels, said pins serving to contact with said arms to free said pawls from their ratchet Wheels.

yIn testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I alfix my signature, in presence of tivo Witnesses.

YWILLIAM A. PECK. Witnesses:

CHARLES It. SEARLE, II. J. PETERSEN. 

